Wind turbine rotor blade having a spark gap

Abstract

A wind turbine rotor blade is provided. The wind turbine rotor blade has a lightning receptor, a first electrical line and a potential equalization arrangement which has a first electrode, which is connected to the lightning receptor, and a second electrode, which is connected to the first electrical line, a spark gap being formed between the two electrodes. The two electrodes are arranged on an outer side of the wind turbine rotor blade and are exposed to the surrounding air flow.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A wind turbine rotor blade comprising:
 a potential equalization arrangement having a first electrode, a second electrode and a spark gap; 
 said spark gap being formed between said first and second electrodes; 
 a lightning receptor connected to said first electrode; 
 an electric line connected to said second electrode; 
 an outer side; 
 said first and second electrodes being arranged on said outer side; 
 said first and second electrodes being exposed to an air flow surrounding the wind turbine rotor blade; 
 a pressure side and a suction side; 
 said potential equalization arrangement including a busbar; 
 said busbar defining a current path from said pressure side to said suction side; 
 said first and second electrodes being integrated into said current path; and, 
 said current path being interrupted by said spark gap. 
 
     
     
       2. The wind turbine rotor blade of  claim 1 , wherein said busbar is arranged substantially in a direction of said air flow surrounding the wind turbine rotor blade as the wind turbine rotor blade is in operation. 
     
     
       3. The wind turbine rotor blade of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a profile trailing edge; and, 
 said busbar being arranged on said profile trailing edge. 
 
     
     
       4. The wind turbine rotor blade of  claim 3 , wherein:
 said busbar includes a first section and a second section; 
 said first section has a first end and a second end; 
 said first end forms said first electrode and said second end is connected to said lightning receptor; 
 said second section has a third end and a fourth end; and, 
 said third end forms said second electrode and said fourth end is connected to said electrical line. 
 
     
     
       5. The wind turbine rotor blade of  claim 4 , wherein:
 said first section has an elongate hole; 
 said first section is fastened to the wind turbine rotor blade with the aid of said elongate hole; and, 
 said elongate hole is arranged to allow a distance between said first and second electrodes to be adjusted. 
 
     
     
       6. The wind turbine rotor blade of  claim 4 , wherein:
 said second section has an elongate hole; 
 said second section is fastened to the wind turbine rotor blade with the aid of said elongate hole; and, 
 said elongate hole is arranged to allow a distance between said first and second electrodes to be adjusted. 
 
     
     
       7. The wind turbine rotor blade of  claim 4 , wherein said first section is routed around said profile trailing edge. 
     
     
       8. The wind turbine rotor blade of  claim 4 , wherein said second section is routed around said profile trailing edge. 
     
     
       9. The wind turbine rotor blade of  claim 4 , wherein said first end of said first section has a tapered tip directed towards said third end of said second section. 
     
     
       10. The wind turbine rotor blade of  claim 4 , wherein said third end of said second section has a tapered tip directed towards said first end of said first section. 
     
     
       11. The wind turbine rotor blade of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a surface region defining an area on said outer side in which the first and second electrodes are arranged; and, 
 said surface region being provided with a heat-resistant coating. 
 
     
     
       12. The wind turbine rotor blade of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an electric heating device; and, 
 said electric line being a supply line to supply said electric heating device with a heating current. 
 
     
     
       13. The wind turbine rotor blade of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a lightning conductor connected to said lightning receptor; 
 a blade root; and, 
 said lightning conductor being arranged between said lightning receptor and said blade root.